WeeklySA_AdminFINALE: Four fashion enthusiasts have won bespoke outfits worth R50 000 each in a competition celebrating South African design — and the power of buying local…
By WSAM Reporter
Four South African fashion enthusiasts will step onto the runway in bespoke designer outfits after being named winners of the 2026 Local Fashion Police competition.
Warren Masemola, Zintle Gobozi, Pronestar Lindiwe Masanabo and Velile Nongogo were selected from 12 finalists drawn from hundreds of entries across the country.
They impressed the judges with their originality, personal style and enthusiasm for locally designed and manufactured fashion.
Each winner has been paired with a leading South African designer, who will create an exclusive outfit valued at R50 000 for the competition’s grand finale on November 19.
Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana selected Masemola, while Anel Botha chose Gobozi. Rivaldo Louw of By Waldo selected Masanabo, and Mpumelelo “Lele” Dhlamini of Ezokhetho chose Nongogo.
The competition, an initiative of Proudly South African, celebrates local fashion while encouraging consumers to support the designers, manufacturers and workers behind it.
Proudly South African chief executive Eustace Mashimbye said the winners demonstrated the depth of talent within the country’s fashion industry, as well as the role consumers play in sustaining it.
“We are immensely proud of our top four winners, who have embraced local fashion with confidence, passion and authenticity,” he said.
Mashimbye said their success went beyond individual style, reflecting a commitment to celebrating South African creativity and craftsmanship. Supporting locally made fashion, he added, helped sustain businesses, protect jobs and strengthen the economy.
The initiative also seeks to draw attention to the pressures facing South Africa’s clothing, textile, fashion and leather industries.
According to Mashimbye, these sectors continue to face intense competition from offshore online retailers.
By connecting consumers with local designers, the competition aims to turn appreciation for South African fashion into purchasing decisions that support the industry.
This year’s finale will give the four winners an opportunity to showcase their designers’ creations, bringing the competition’s celebration of personal expression and local craftsmanship onto the runway.
